Kappa Alpha frat reinstated at UD

Kappa Alpha fraternity has returned to campus this semester after being suspended in September 2011 for violating the university’s code of conduct. Now the chapter is attempting to re-establish themselves and improve their reputation on campus, according to their faculty advisor. 

In a press release from the Kappa Alpha National Organization, KA volunteer and faculty advisor Steven Hastings said the fraternity is resuming normal operations.

“The returning brothers are busy recruiting new members and planning community service and philanthropy events,” Hastings said.

Freshman Jarrod Bieber, however, said he plans to keep away from fraternities that have been sanctioned by the university.  

“I wouldn’t rush a frat that’s been kicked off campus,” Bieber said. “I wouldn’t want to be involved with people who did bad things.”

Other freshmen, such as Eric George, said they would feel uncomfortable associating themselves with a group who had been in trouble with the university.

George said he thinks sanctions reflect poorly on a fraternity’s reputation, especially when recruiting new members.

“If a frat had been suspended, I probably wouldn’t rush them,” George said. 

KA fraternity members declined to comment about specific details of last year’s incident, but the chapter’s president, senior Andrew McCarthy, stated in the press release that he is looking forward to the fraternity’s return to campus.

“We are very excited to again be an active chapter and are operating as such,” McCarthy said.

According to the press release, the brothers are still living in the fraternity house located on Amstel and South College Avenues.

Scott Mason, associate director of Student Centers, stated in the press release that the fraternity’s return comes with no further sanctions from the university. He said KA can begin recruiting, doing philanthropy and hosting events to reintroduce their presence within the university.

“They can work with their alumni, advisors, national office and the university to do the best they can to re-establish the chapter,” Mason said.

McCarthy said he is overall optimistic about the future of KA.

“By rededicating to our ritual and values, we know this chapter will excel and help lead on our campus,” he said.

Other than hosting rush events to recruit new members, the brothers of KA have also started doing philanthropy since returning to campus, according to Hastings. He said several members participated in the Delaware Mud Run in Middletown, Del. on Saturday, Sept. 22.

First-year graduate student Brian Gildemeyer, who is rushing Alpha Zeta, a co-ed agricultural fraternity, said he appreciates the effort KA is making but thinks they should do even more philanthropy.